The Northern Elders Forum on Tuesday gave an urgent call to the Federal Government to take swift and decisive action in the face of an impending flood crisis threatening vast parts of Northern Nigeria.
In a statement released in Abuja, NEF Spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jiddere, warned that based on current rainfall patterns, historical precedents, and official weather alerts, the region is on the brink of a severe environmental and humanitarian disaster.
The NEF cited a recent alert issued on 16th July 2025, the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment issued an official flood alert for 11 states, 9 of which are in Northern Nigeria.
However, the Northern Elders Forum called on the Federal Government, in collaboration with affected state governments, to urgently, activate flood emergency response plans; Strengthen and clear all urban and rural drainage systems; Reinforce dam infrastructure and ensure proper regulation of water releases; Construct flood barriers, diversion canals, retention ponds, and reservoirs in flood-prone zones.
